Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1887-10-06
"YANI<EE DOODLE"
A Famous American Painting by an
American Artist-Brief sketch
of A. NJ. willard.

of A. NJ. willard.
CLEVELAND Every one who visit
ed Philadelphia during the centennial
exhibition, and who went to see things
with American eyes, were enraptured
by painting that came from OHIO and
was the production of an artist then
comparatively unknown outside OF
Ohio. The painting was "Yankee
DOODLE" the artist, A. M. Willard, of
Cleytland.
Frequently during the exhibition
men ana women from North and South,
East and West, gathered in groups be-
fore the painting and gave vent To their
patriotism by singing that soal-stirring
song, yankee Doodle" yankee
Doodle" as song reaches the Ameri-
can heart but Yankee Doodle" rs a
painting presents TO the eye a scene
which, once looked upon, can meyer be
obliterated.
1t was given TO the world ut o time
when patriotism was ut fever heat. 1t
created great sensation. and brought
prominently before the public, its au-
thor. The fever heat of 1876 passed a.
way, but yankee Doodle" lived, lives
to-day, and will live as long as Ameri-
can art graces civilization.
Americans could find no fault with
it. The very attitudes of the central
figures spoke volumes of patriotism the
expressions of the faces told better than
history of the heroism displayed in
that mighty, unequaled, yet victorious
struggle against British tyranny. 1t
was picture of the past, calculated To
instill in young and old, better, purer
love for native land and heal the few
wounds that still remained open from
the civil strife of the "sixties." 1t ac-
complished all and still lives. In times
to come, ages hence, may yankee
Doodle" in song and painting, he the
stars that shall lead Americas mighty
hosts on to victorious struggles against
ignorance and tyranny.
While American critics could find no
errors in the ideal treatment of the sub
ject, a few foreign critics sought motor.
iety by attacking the artist for placing
the fife and drum corps in front OF an
advancing regiment on the field. They
claimed that it was incorrect and made
IA great deal of buster. Their below
ings only increased the popularity of
the painting, when it became generally
known that these Jealous critics were
foreigners, and English mt that.
Everyone knows well that the Conti-
mental army was not ut all times prof.
cient in military tactics. 1t maitered
but little whether the band was in the
front or rear. The music ,ros there,
and men were plentiful who would lead
a regiment Into the jaws OF death"
with nc other weapon to strike terror
into the British heart than the inspir-
ing air Of f"Yankee Doodle"
Mr.. Willard knew this, and when ho
credited the famous painting he endeay-
ored to give vivid and faithful picture
of real patriotism encountered of mill
tary tactics, and well he succeeded.
"Yankee Doodle" was exhibited for
the first time at the Centennial, and
was the central fiugre in the Art Gal
lery. Then it went to the "oli Sonth
Church" in Boston. For some months
that famous old structure was crowded
with good old Frunco STOCK.
From Boston it was taken TO San
Francisco and exhibited for some time.
Then it went to the Corcoran Art Gal
lerv, in Washington, and then back to
Cleyeland. During this time the coun-
try was flooded with copies and the ar
tist reaped his first harvest. The origi-
nal was purchased by the late General
Deveraux, of this city, who formerly
presented it TO the old town OF Marble
head, Mass.
yankee Doodle" is an American
painting from the easel of ali artist who
traces his ancestors back to the excIt-
ing days of 1776. Therefore it can be
classed among the very few American
productions of note.
A. NJ. Willard was born in Bedford,
few miles from Cleveland, in 1868. In
those days Bedford was far more i'm
portant place than Cleveland. Alas
how time changes things.
At school young Willard was noted
for one thing at least. He persisted in
using the slate as medium for illus
trating certain horned domestic ami
mails instead Of worrying over long and
short DIVISIONS. The teacher endeavored
to "bull' the cattle market, but the
young scholar meyer ''sold short. y
When seventeen the hopeful young
man obtained a little instruction in por.
trait painting. A thorough art educa.
tion not being available to him, he
learned the trade of carriage painter
HIS remarkable ability soon manifested
itself, and in short time he became a
skilled ornamental painter. The rou
tine life of village painter was moi
suited to his tastes, and he began tC
consider the opening of new field. II
was about this time that he produced
the "Pluck" pictures which were sold
extensively as chromos. "Pluck" was
the dawn Of day to him, and clear day
light came with deacon JONES'"
In 1874 he moved to Cleveland, and
early in '76 produced" Yankee Doodle. ;
Mr.. Willard IS well-known through.
out the country, and is on intimate